Defunct GM Websites are Sad, Still Exist

"willkinton247" (willkinton247)
03/20/2014 at 08:32 • Filed to: None

So I came across the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! website yesterday. It's a sad place. Look at this quote from their front page:

For over 100 years, Oldsmobile proudly represented the leadership and innovation of General Motors, winning countless awards and earning a place in automotive history. While GM no longer makes Oldsmobile vehicles, its passion for engineering, technology and design lives on in every Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac on the road today.

And that's all it really says. It's like a eulogy to what was the time, one of the oldest car companies in existence. The website has links to other GM Brands, and some owner resources. The saddest thing of all though is this at the bottom:

They're still updating the site. It hasn't been abandoned! I was curious, so I checked out the other Defunct GM Brands. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , and !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! all have the same format and style, each with their own brand eulogy. Saturn takes it to the next level though:

Now, the remarkable spirit of Saturn lives on with every person who has
been behind the wheel of one.

Sorry guys, I think I need a tissue.

DISCUSSION (22)

crowmolly > willkinton247
03/20/2014 at 08:40

They could have picked a much better representation of Oldsmobile than a Bravada or whatever. Try a '70 442 W30 or something. Not like anyone can go buy a new Olds anyway.

willkinton247 > crowmolly
03/20/2014 at 08:45

What's funny is the Pontiac site shows all of the models that were in production right before they were shuttered. Oldsmobile didn't even bother.

vdub_nut: scooter snob > willkinton247
03/20/2014 at 09:14

I still break down and cry for about fifteen minutes every time I get in my Saturn. It's super inconvenient.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > willkinton247
03/20/2014 at 09:16

Live Chat link still works. Should we start asking questions about Oldsmobiles just to screw with them?

RW53104 > willkinton247
03/20/2014 at 09:21

"its legacy of great vehicles will always be in style."

Nothing says style like a '98 Grand Am!

BJ > willkinton247
03/20/2014 at 09:30

Good find!

It makes sense really, because it allows them to show continued ownership of the brands even though they don't actually use them. From a customer service standpoint, it helps people find service and makes sure they don't feel abandoned - this may even have a positive impact on the business through continued service and parts sales, and maybe even corporate brand loyalty.

And who knows? They may even revive the brands one day - whether in North America or another market - and then it'll be like they never left. Sort of.

On the other hand, it is kind of sad...

ihm96 > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
03/20/2014 at 09:33

Yes. Yes we should

willkinton247 > RW53104
03/20/2014 at 09:35

That is exactly what I thought of when I read that.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > willkinton247
03/20/2014 at 09:53

Ford's at it too.

I had to built one of the Mercury ones in an old job.

Can you imagine ME of all people building a "Mercury has died" web page?

I went home with severe depression:

http://www.mercuryvehicles.com/

RazoE > RW53104
03/20/2014 at 09:57

clearly the epitome of car design

Kinja'd!!!

?v=0

GTI MkVII > willkinton247
03/20/2014 at 10:02

I think they might be required by law to maintain these sites actually, given the requirement to provide parts and service for at least 10 years after closing down, etc.

Chairman Kaga > willkinton247
03/20/2014 at 11:23

I sent them an email.

"I can't find where the Oldsmobile dealership in Hot Springs Arkansas has moved to. My wife Hilda and I are ready to trade in our 1989 Cutlass and get a brand new 88 but I guess they have moved and I can't find the new place. Many thanks."

willkinton247 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
03/20/2014 at 13:21

The Mercury page doesn't try to eulogize the brand though. The mourning doesn't come through.

But well done, you did not let your emotions translate to your work. You maintained professionalism, and we are proud.

And for the record, I'm totally serious. I know that's hard to do sometimes, but we gotta do it.

willkinton247 > GTI MkVII
03/20/2014 at 13:22

That may be, but there's no requirement that it has to be sad, yet hopeful.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > willkinton247
03/20/2014 at 13:58

had to be approved by the Ford Clients before it went live, if I did it myself it would have said something like "NOOOOOOOOOOOO I HATE YOU ALL KILL SOMETHING ELSE MERCURY IS THE BEST!!!!"

In fact I think that was one of the problems with Mercury. They didn't have their own marketing execs or advertisers. It was just a secondary function by the Ford people.

hangus77 > willkinton247
03/20/2014 at 15:41

This is what I got from GM:

Welcome to GM. Please wait while we find an agent to assist you...

[You are now chatting with Brian.]

14:37:58Brian:Hi! How may I help you?

14:38:04Customer:Hi Brian

14:38:15Customer:I just stumbled across the old Oldsmobile website.

14:38:22Customer:any reason why it still exists?

14:40:41Brian:Thanks for contacting us today! It's here for you to ask questions and for me to have a job! The reason we have it is for current Olds customers who may be having problems with their vehicles, or those Olds customers looking to buy a new vehicle. Plus there are some people who may not realize that the brand was unfortunately discontinued and may be in the market for a new GM vehicle.

14:41:11Customer:Ah, ok. That is pretty much what I figured. Thanks for the answer!

willkinton247 > hangus77
03/20/2014 at 16:21

Yeah, that's pretty much what I figured as well.

That being said, how on earth could somebody not know Olds is kaput?

evilfacelessturtle (Hooning a Ford is Domestic Abuse) > RW53104
03/23/2014 at 02:43

Actually, you picked one of the better looking Pontiacs of that era. The Sunfire and Trans Am would have been an acceptable answers though.

Kinja'd!!!

RW53104 > evilfacelessturtle (Hooning a Ford is Domestic Abuse)
03/24/2014 at 07:08

My era favorite:

evilfacelessturtle (Hooning a Ford is Domestic Abuse) > RW53104
03/24/2014 at 18:15

I'm not seeing anything.

RW53104 > evilfacelessturtle (Hooning a Ford is Domestic Abuse)
03/25/2014 at 07:35

Kinja'd!!!

woops

evilfacelessturtle (Hooning a Ford is Domestic Abuse) > RW53104
03/25/2014 at 10:17

Oh yes, that's my favorite as well. I almost pulled the trigger on a mint Grand Prix Turbo Mclaren, but they only came with an Auto.